Assumption of similarities

This assumption suggests that intercultural communication is possible because it simply

requires homing in one peoples inherent similarities. In the other hand, it is a belief that people
from different cultures are vastly different from one another. Therefore, communication between
them is difficult if not impossible. Assuming similarity fails to appreciate difference and
assuming differences fails to appreciate cultural commonalities.

In the United States, we need to be careful when we place a premium on the American
Way. We are ethnocentric if we believe that other cultures should do things the way that we do
things here or if we think that cultures that do things the way we do them here are imitating U.S.
culture. For instance, consider the following conservation between Jasmine and Renny, two
friends talking about an anthropology class:

Jasmine: So, I dont get it. You think that women should be forced to wear those veils over their
heads, I dont. They want to be free to show their faces. Men dont have to do it, so why should
women?

Renny: You need to read more, Jasmin. I read that the veils are called hijab and they are part of
the dress that women have worn for years. Some women wear them so that they can be treated as
human beings instead of targets of beauty or objects of affection.

Jasmine: Okay, dont they know that it can be seen as oppressive?

Renny: Says who? You? Me? We live in the United States, a country where most women dont
wear hijab but that doesnt mean that its an oppressive thing. Look at our country. What about
women in other countries who dont understand why married women here take their husbands
name? What about women in other countries who laugh at how much women in the United
States spend on cosmetics for their faces? What about
Jasmine: Okay, okay. I get the point.

This conversation reflects the fact that simply because something is practiced or revered in the
United States does not mean that it is similarly practiced or revered in other cultures, Renny
helps us see through the problems of assuming similarity across cultures.

(West, R. L., & Turner, L. H. 2011)

Misinterpretation of nonverbal

Speaker expect to receive nonverbal cues that are familiar. However, nonverbal behavior
differ dramatically across and within cultures. For example, lets say that Lena, from New York
City, is meeting a member of the Western Apache nation in Arizona or an immigrant from India.
She will probably introduce herself and initiate some small talk. However, she may run into
problems because these culture typically value silence in conversations. The Apache use silence
when they meet strangers (Basso, 1990). For many Asian Indians, silence means agreement, is
used as a sign of conversational respect or is a way to show sensitivity to the speaker (Pais,
1997).

An Asian proverb states that those who know, do not speak; those who speak, do not
know. In this example is Lena is a person who believes that communication must be constant to
be effective, she may struggle with interpersonal exchanges with the Western Apache or the
Asian Indian. However as is true of other facets of culture, nonverbal communication varies
within cultures as well as between cultures. For instance, although Italians might gesture more
than people from United States in general, not all Italians use expansive gestures. We could
certainly find someone from Italy who gestures less than someone we pick from the United
States.

(West, R. L., & Turner, L. H. 2011)

Language differences

Besides, language differences that separates cultures, verbal communication styles can
differ. For example, Jack does not speak Japanese, so he is concerned with his ability to
communicate effectively with Yamato. There are some strategies that Jack can use to help
establish a rapport with Yamato. Jack can explain himself without words by using emotions,
facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues. He can also use drawings and ask for an interpreter.

(study.com, n.d.)
Reference

(n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2017, from http://study.com/academy/lesson/cross-cultural-

communication-definition-strategies-examples.html#courseInfo

West, R. L., & Turner, L. H. (2011). Understanding interpersonal communication: making

choices in changing times. Boston: Wadsworth.